Great Reasons Why You Should Plant a Vegetable Garden

Planting a vegetable garden offers benefits like stress relief, access to fresh produce, cost savings, better health, and control over pesticides. It also allows for growing a variety of vegetables, enjoying fresher, better-tasting food, and sharing with others.

Spring at my house means preparing our vegetable garden for planting. And of course, Spring this year is taking its sweet time to appear and causing my husband to pace the floors. 

That’s the farmer in him. Planting a vegetable garden is work but has many benefits as well.

Below you will see eight great reasons why you should plant a vegetable garden. Several years ago my husband decided that he was not going to plant a vegetable garden.

After 18 years. He gave his garden tiller to our son-in-law.

Boy, did we have an adventure that spring and summer? Read all about it here.

why you should plant a vegetable garden

Great Reasons Why You Should Plant a Vegetable Garden

I encourage anyone to plant a vegetable garden. Why?

Gardening is a great stress reliever. Promotes better health.

You can grow many varieties of your favorite vegetables. No chemical pesticides. 

You decide. Will save you money in the long run.

Better tasting vegetables than the ones you buy at the store. Why not preserve that extra bounty either by freezing or canning? 

Of course, you can share those extra veggies with your family and friends. Yes, gardening is work but think of the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of the season.

A few tips before you begin. Start with a small garden. 

You can always expand next year. Take it from experience. 

Every year our vegetable garden grows in size. Plant only the vegetables you like. 

No sense in planting something you are not going to eat. You can always experiment in the future. 

I had never eaten eggplant but was curious about it. So we planted some. 

I fell in love. You have got to try eggplant parmesan. 

See the recipe here. Watch the video below. 

Natural Stress Reliever

Gardening is a natural stress reliever. Being outside can improve your mood and make you feel rejuvenated.

While pulling out weeds you are getting a workout but also not thinking about what is stressing you such as the little things that need to be done. Physical activity reduces the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Promotes Better Health

Fresh vegetables are a part of a healthy diet and that promotes better health. Nothing like walking to that garden and picking fresh vegetables to your heart’s content. 

Just use your imagination. Think of all the yummy recipes you can make using your fresh vegetables.

Having them readily available encourages an increased intake of fresh vegetables.

Flowers, fruit and vegetables

Grow a Variety

A great thing about your own vegetable garden. You can plant so many different varieties of a certain vegetable such as tomatoes. 

In the store you might find three or four different kinds of tomatoes but did you know that there are many, many different varieties? Plant big juicy slicing tomatoes for BLT sandwiches or cherry tomatoes for a salad. 

Want purple carrots? No problem.

Why not plant a variety of cucumbers? Small pickling cucumbers, English cucumbers, and the popular straight eight cucumbers.

Leaf lettuce or Romaine anyone? You can have a literal smorgasbord of fresh vegetables. 

Saves Money

Who doesn’t like to save money? By planting a vegetable garden you will.

The packets of seeds will cost you anywhere from $1.00 to $2.50 depending on the size and brand that you buy. And think of all the tomatoes that one packet will grow!

Mind-boggling I tell you. You can also buy established plants. 

They are a little more expensive but what they will produce you will save money in the long run. Save yourself trips to the store.

Just walk out to your garden and pick fresh vegetables. Have the makings of a fresh salad at your fingertips. 

Better Tasting Vegetables

Fresh vegetables taste so much better than the ones you buy in the store. Those vegetables are picked before they are ready for your table.

After all, they have to endure the transit from farm to store. There is nothing like fresh green beans.

Have you been frustrated when you buy that bag of beans from the store to end up throwing away half of them because they are “limp” from sitting in the bag for so long? The taste and texture of a freshly picked tomato from your garden cannot compare to that grocery store tomato.  

Pickles in jars

Preserving Your Bounty

You are going to have vegetables running out of your ears. The best part? 

You can freeze or home can the extras. No use to waste. 

You will have vegetables to carry you through the winter. This will cut down your grocery bill. 

Win-Win in my book. Get creative. 

There are so many things to do with those vegetables. Make pickles, salsas, tomato sauce, and pizza sauce. 

The possibilities are endless. 

Sharing with Family and Friends

Why not share those extra tomatoes? Everyone loves receiving fresh vegetables.

Or you can donate your extra produce to your local food pantry. Helping others always makes me feel better. 

How about you? Fresh vegetables also make a great gift basket. 

Your family and friends will thank you. 

Chemical Pesticides

You control what you apply to your vegetables. Organic vegetables are so expensive. 

This confuses me. Less costs more? 

Make sense to you? Never could figure that one out.

But your organic-grown produce costs way more. Whether you decide to apply chemical pesticides or not, you are the one in control, and that in itself is a great feeling. 

My Final Thoughts

  • Stress relief and health benefits: Gardening reduces stress and promotes better health through physical activity and access to fresh vegetables.
  • Variety and taste: Home gardening allows for growing diverse vegetables that are fresher and tastier than store-bought ones.
  • Cost savings: Planting a garden saves money compared to buying vegetables from the store.
  • Preservation and sharing: Excess produce can be preserved or shared with others, enhancing community connections.
  • Control over pesticides: Growing your own vegetables allows control over chemical use, supporting healthier, organic eating.

There are many benefits to planting a vegetable garden. Stress reliever, fresh vegetables at your fingertips, promotes better health, saves you money, grow a wide variety, control pesticides, fresher tasting vegetables, or preserving. 

Any of these reasons are great. Gardening is a lot of work and takes some planning such as what vegetables to plant and when to plant them.

Some vegetables prefer cooler weather while others thrive in hotter weather. I hope this article inspired you to plant your very own vegetable garden.

The benefits, as well as the satisfaction, are well worth it. Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. 

I love hearing from you. And as always, have a wonderful day!

FAQ for Reasons Why You Should Plant A Vegetable Garden

1. What are some benefits of planting a vegetable garden?

  • Health Benefits: Planting a vegetable garden can contribute to a healthier diet by providing fresh, unprocessed produce right at your doorstep.
  • Economic Advantages: Growing your own vegetables can save money on grocery bills over time, especially if you cultivate a variety of produce​.

2. How does gardening impact mental health?

  • Stress Reduction: Gardening is known to reduce stress and promote relaxation through physical activity and interaction with nature.
  • Sense of Achievement: The process of growing your own food can also provide a sense of accomplishment and pride​.

3. Can gardening be a family activity?

  • Educational Opportunities for Children: Gardening offers educational opportunities for children, teaching them about nature and the origins of food.
  • Family Bonding: It can also be a bonding activity that families can enjoy together, fostering communication and cooperation.

4. What environmental benefits does a vegetable garden offer?

  • Sustainability: A vegetable garden helps promote sustainability by reducing dependence on store-bought produce, which often involves significant carbon emissions for transport.
  • Biodiversity: It can enhance local biodiversity, attracting beneficial insects and birds which are vital for ecological balance​.

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